Key Takeaways
- MiWay sales agents protested outside the company’s offices in Johannesburg against salary cuts that have severely impacted their ability to sustain their families.
- The agents alleged that their salaries were cut by R7,000 two months ago, leading to financial distress and depression among some employees.
- The new commission model, labeled a "cap system", has limited the agents’ earning potential, with some employees experiencing a dramatic plunge in earnings.
- The agents criticized the company’s executive leadership, accusing them of being greedy and sharing bonuses among themselves while the sales team struggles.
- The financial pressure has taken a heavy toll on the well-being of the sales team, with some employees experiencing depression and others collapsing at work.
Introduction to the Protest
MiWay sales agents staged a picket outside the company’s offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Friday, protesting against salary cuts that have crippled their ability to sustain their families. A group of about 50 employees gathered in what appeared to signal a "stay away" as employees voiced their grievances. The protest was a result of the company’s decision to cut the agents’ salaries by R7,000 two months ago, a move that has led to severe financial distress and depression among some employees.
The Impact of Salary Cuts
The agents accused management, who they said came from a competitor, of having "ruined where they’ve come from" and are attempting to replicate the same destructive behavior at MiWay. The new commission model, which they labeled a "cap system", has severely limited their earning potential. Speaking anonymously to TimesLIVE, several employees shared their frustrations, painting a picture of unsustainable income drops. "Imagine earning a certain amount and then they cut it in half and then cut it again," one employee said. "We are missing instalments, our accounts are in arrears, and every month we have to choose what to pay and what not to pay."
Criticism of Executive Leadership
The sales agents criticized the company’s executive leadership, accusing them of being greedy and sharing bonuses among themselves while the sales team struggles. "The greedy management will be sharing the money among themselves as bonuses while people who are working hard don’t get any bonuses whatsoever," they argued. The agents believed that if cost-cutting was necessary, it should be applied across the board, rather than targeting the sales team. The company’s executive leadership was seen as out of touch with the struggles of the sales team, with one agent saying, "The company looks clean and beautiful from the outside, but inside people are depressed. Some have collapsed on their chairs. Ambulances come in every now and then."
Impact on Employee Well-being
The financial pressure has reportedly taken a heavy toll on the well-being of the sales team. The agents raised issues regarding medical aid rules, claiming they were forced to take company-mandated medical aids, which they pay for out of their own pockets. The group said they had attempted to seek recourse through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) but were reportedly unable to get help as the matter was deemed a labor issue. They are struggling to obtain legal representation due to the cost. The situation has become dire, with some employees experiencing depression and others collapsing at work.
Management’s Response
While TimesLIVE was speaking to the agents, MiWay management arrived outside the building and gave the protesters a written ultimatum that was pasted on pillars of the building. A manager and members of the HR department warned the employees to return to work in 40 minutes or face disciplinary action. The notice accused employees of embarking on an illegal strike, stating that they had not complied with the provisions of the company’s internal policies and procedures and the law. The employees were also instructed not to discuss the strike action with members of the media. The company’s response has been seen as heavy-handed, with the agents feeling that their concerns are not being taken seriously.
Conclusion
The protest by MiWay sales agents highlights the struggles faced by employees in the company. The salary cuts and new commission model have had a devastating impact on the agents’ ability to sustain their families. The criticism of the company’s executive leadership and the impact on employee well-being are serious concerns that need to be addressed. The company’s response to the protest has been seen as inadequate, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the MiWay sales agents will continue to fight for their rights and fair treatment.
